Hydraulic connection device

ABSTRACT

A valve assembly is useful for providing ports for connecting hydraulic circuits when the need arises. When an auxiliary circuit is being connected to the valve assembly, the circuit already connected may develop a differential fluid pressure drop. The subject valve assembly includes an inlet, a first outlet and a second outlet. A shut-off valve is positioned between the inlet and the first outlet. The shut-off valve must be in the closed position before the auxiliary circuit can be connected to the second outlet of the valve assembly. The shut-off valve includes a handle having an extending portion which overlies the second outlet when the shut-off valve is in the open position thus preventing the connection of circuit to the second outlet. This arrangement of components prevents connecting the auxiliary circuit to the valve assembly when the shut-off valve is in the open position.

DESCRIPTION

1. Technical Field

This invention relates to a hydraulic system for operating implements ofa vehicle and more particularly to a valve having an outlet which ispartially covered by a control handle when the valve is in the openposition.

2. Background Art

In use of the hydraulic system a manifold is used to provide an outletfor connecting an auxiliary circuit when needed. The manifold has aninlet for receiving fluid from a pressure source. The manifold includesan outlet connected to a first circuit. The manifold further includes asecond outlet having a quick connect coupler for connecting an auxiliarycircuit when needed. One of the problems associated with the manifold isthat there was not a way to prevent connecting the auxiliary circuit tothe manifold when the second circuit was open and allowing fluid flowfrom the first outlet.

The present invention is directed to overcoming the problem as set forthabove.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention a hydraulic system forcontrolling the implements of a vehicle includes a valve assembly havingan inlet. The valve assembly also includes a first outlet for connectinga first circuit and a second outlet for connecting an auxiliary circuit.A valve body includes a shut-off valve which is positioned between theinlet and the first outlet. The shut-off valve has a first positionwhich allows fluid to flow to the first circuit. The shut-off valve hasa second position which prevents fluid flow out of the first circuitwhen connecting the auxiliary circuit to the valve body. A handle isattached to the shut-off valve. The handle includes an extending portionwhich overlies the second outlet when the shut-off valve is in the firstposition.

The present invention provides an arrangement which prevents theconnection of the auxiliary circuit to the valve body when the shut-offvalve is in the first position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1, is a plan view of the valve of the present invention;

FIG. 2, is a side view of the valve; and

FIG. 3, is a sectional view of the valve.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, a valve arrangement 10 is used to connect anauxiliary circuit when needed. The valve arrangement 10 includes a valvebody 12 having an inlet 14, a first outlet 16 and a second outlet 18.The second outlet 18 includes a quick disconnect coupling, of knownconstruction, which stops the fluid flow from the outlet 18 when anauxiliary outlet line is not positioned in the outlet 18. An inlet line20 is threadably connected in the inlet 14. The inlet line 20 isconnected to a pressure source (not shown) and delivers pressurizedfluid from the pressure source to the inlet 14. An outlet line 22 isthreadably connected in the first outlet 16. The outlet line 22 deliversfluid from the first outlet 16 of the valve body 12 to a hydrauliccylinder 24. The hydraulic cylinder 24 controls a pair of locking pins26 of a implement quick coupler arrangement (not shown). The valve body12 has an inlet bore 28 for receiving fluid for distribution to thefirst and second outlets 16, 18. A first passage 30 connects the inletbore 28 to the second outlet 18. A second passage 32 connects the firstpassage 30 to the first outlet 16. A conventional shut-off valve 34 ispositioned within the second passage 32. The shut-off valve 34 includesan extending stem portion 36 having a hole 38 therethrough. The shut-offvalve 34 is in a first position when the valve is open and in a secondposition when the valve is closed. A handle assembly 40 is attached tothe stem portion 36 of the shut-off valve 34. A mounting pin 42 isattached to the handle assembly 40 and passes through the hole 38 of thestem portion 36. The handle assembly 40 includes an extending portion 44which overlies the second outlet 18 when the shut-off valve 34 is in thefirst position. The extending portion 44 is moved away from the outlet18, as shown in phantom lines 46, when the shut-off valve 34 is in thesecond position thus allowing the auxiliary line to be connected intothe second outlet.

Industrial Applicability

In the use of the present invention, the valve arrangement 10 is used todistribute fluid from the pressure source to the first and secondoutlets 16,18. The fluid enters the inlet 14 and inlet bore 28 and movesthrough the first passage 30 to the second outlet 18. The fluid movesthrough the second passage 32 to the first outlet 16. As the fluid movesthrough the second passage 32 it must pass through the shut-off valve34. The shut-off valve 34 has a first position which allows fluid toflow from the inlet 14 to the first outlet 16 and a second positionwhich blocks fluid flow from the hydraulic cylinder 24 and line 22 intothe valve body 12. Blocking the reverse flow of fluid will preventdifferential fluid pressure in the line 22 and the hydraulic cylinder 24from causing unintentional disengagement of the quick coupler lockingpins 26. The shut-off valve 34 includes the handle assembly 40 which hasthe extending portion 44. The extending portion 44 overlies the secondoutlet 18 when the shut-off valve 34 is in the open position. Theoverlying position of the extending portion 44 will prevent connectingthe auxiliary circuit to the valve body 12. When the auxiliary circuitis needed the handle assembly 40 must be rotated to close the shut-offvalve 34. Rotation of the handle assembly 40 will move the extendingportion 44 and uncover the second outlet 18 and allow the auxiliarycircuit to be connected to the valve body 12.

In view of the foregoing, it is readily apparent that the structure ofthe present invention provides a valve arrangement which prevents theattachment of an auxiliary circuit when the shut-off valve is in theopen position.

Other aspects, objects and advantages of the invention can be obtainedfrom a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims.

We claim:
 1. A hydraulic system for controlling the implements of avehicle, the hydraulic system includes a valve assembly having an inlet,a first outlet for connecting a first circuit and a second outletadapted for connecting a second circuit, comprising:a valve body havinga shut-off valve positioned between the inlet and the first outlet, theshut-off valve having a first position to allow fluid to flow from theinlet to the first outlet and a second position to prevent fluid flowfrom the first circuit when the second circuit is being connected to thesecond outlet, and a handle attached to the shut-off valve, the handleincludes an extending portion which overlies the second outlet when theshut-off valve is in the first position.